Good Government Depends on an Informed Public

Welcome

Welcome to 2015! The Hawaii Legislature is open for business, and so are we! Our goal is to submit comments on every version of every tax measure. These comments are, and will continue to be, posted in our Legislative Tax Bill Service.

At the moment the hot topics are:

The three highest rate brackets in our income tax, 9%, 10%, and 11%, expire at the end of 2015. Will the Legislature allow that to happen? Read: Temporary Bills: HB 886

Our income tax also contains provisions that create a “cliff” — $1 of additional income means thousands in additional tax. Can we fix this? Read: Cliff Bill: HB 83

The City & County of Honolulu is worried about its rail project and wants to extend the 0.5% surcharge on the GET from its current sunset date of 2022 to…well…forever. But did you know about the hidden charge where the State drains tens of millions from the project each year? Read: Ten Percent Solution Bills: HB 134, SB 19

Our ever-popular Breakfast Briefings will help you keep up to date on what our Legislature is considering.

This is the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Your Eye on State Taxes. The many areas of this site will showcase the work the Foundation has done during its 60-year existence. Our analysis and opinion, and our sticking up for the taxpayer over the years, traditionally have been taken very seriously by our lawmakers.

We accept no government funds to carry out our mission. We are funded entirely by private donations, and we are committed to transparency in our operations as the GuideStar Gold seal below attests. Please take a look through our resources. Please also consider being a member in the Foundation, or upgrading your membership, either of which brings with it additional benefits and resources.

Private donations are always gratefully accepted. Please click on the Donate button. If you are interested in Tax Foundation membership, there are different donation buttons at this page.